Ready and Willing
BCI is located 28 miles southwest of Elkhart, Ind., the “RV Capital of the World,” which has been hard hit by the current recession—even warranting a visit from President Obama in February and early August to address economic concerns. The crippling of an industry so close to home has not been ignored by BCI. The gray and ductile iron metalcasting and machining company experienced 32% growth in FY2008 and 30% growth in FY2009, which ended in March, but FY2010 has Brown worried. The industries that BCI supplies, including heavy truck, hydraulics and industrial pump, are all experiencing reductions. According to Brown, orders from every customer except for one are lower than last year. But because the company had experienced such strong growth the previous years, the current reductions (provided they do not worsen) will only return the company to its volume of sales a year ago. If things do worsen, Brown, as always, will be looking for open doors of opportunity.

Barry Bundesman, tool shop manager, explains the final adjustments to a new CNC machine, which will be used to make tooling and patterns, to Mike Menke.

BCI’s tooling shop has made an immediate improvement in the company’s lead times, and eventually Brown hopes it can help the business acquire prototyping work. So far, two customers have put in prototyping orders.

“I’m getting rid of waiting on other suppliers,” Brown said. “I want to be the one accountable for how soon we can ship our castings.”